I always used Newman's very happily as my Field Guide, with Roberts (6th ed. Wish I could afford the giant new one!) as my informational back-up; however the Sasol Guide has improved over the years and, like you, batmad, I am now using it far more than I use Newmans. Especially as I have discovered their larger version - same book, bigger print. Its a bit heavy to walk around with, but sitting in the car in Kruger it is fantastic for me and others like me who are forced to wear reading glasses! I also like the section at the back 'Identifying Problem Species' which helps those of us who are slightly more challenged in terms of identification.

This might be slightly off-topic, not sure. Anyway, JenB and the Stiffnecks, I would like to recommend a delightful little book: "How to be a bad Birdwatcher" by Simon Barnes, if you can find it - probably on Amazon. It will make you laugh and make you think and savour the joys of birdwatching "without letting birdwatching get in the way".

My parents use the roberts and that is OK. I use the Sasol and I love that book, especially the raptors and the good overall drawings. I have added a book to my collection lately and I'm using it just as much. Very good.

Complete photographic field guide: Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan! A must in the collection.....

Very, Very true Ferdelance! this book is an amazing book! i have paged through it in the book store before but unfortunatly i do not own it yet. But as Ferdelance mentions it is a must in your bird book collection!

_________________Avid birder, wildlife enthusiast and photographer with a special interest in Bats

2014 Birding Big Year- A 365 Day quest for 800 Species of Southern African BirdsStiffnecks Member

Fortunately I don't have eyesight problems, so I don't need the large version of the Sasol guide.

I've often found the Sasol guide lacking a bit in terms of more details of a bird, like habits, breeding times etc etc. I checked Roberts 8th ed. when it came out but it also didn't have too much of that kind of info. I was at the book shop a few months ago paging through the bird guides and I remember liking the plates in one of them. I can't remember exactly which but it might have been Roberts 8th ed.

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